The Congested Districts Board was established by the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act of 1897, on the model of the Congested Districts Board for Ireland, to improve industries and infrastructure in the crofting counties which suffering from overpopulation and poverty (see Powers below). Initially 56 parishes or parts of parishes in the north, west and islands [...]
Read more →The following marriages, all involving at least one Valtos family, are extracted from the Old Parish Register of the Established Church in Uig. Not all marriages were registered and the date may refer to the calling of banns, rather than an actual wedding. The dip in numbers from 1844 onward is no doubt due to [...]
Read more →From Estate papers, a list of tenants and their rents in 1867 – including Cliff. No. Tenant Rent 1 Angus Smith £ 1.6.0 2 John Mackay (Roy) £ 2.6.0 3 Angus Morison Jr £ 3.16.0 4 Donald Maclennan (Angus) £ 4.6.0 5 James Morison £ 2.16.0 6 Angus Macaulay £ 2.16.0 7 John Buchanan Jr [...]
Read more →A small village on Camas na Clibhe, between high cliffs on both sides, and at the head of Loch Sgaillear. Valtos and the neighbouring village of Cliff were once one, with croft numbers running from 1 to 39 Valtos. Cliff is now a separate village with crofts numbering only 35 to 39, while Valtos addresses [...]
Read more →After the end of the Great War, dangerous materials were still washing up on the beach. All credit to Nurse Maclean for her tender care of Murdo Macleod, Cliff, in 1919.
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The Uilleam Dubh has been a Scarp boat for many years, and the suggestion was that she was built in Brenish, and/or by a Malcolm Maclean of the famous Maclean boatbuilders of Uig, and called after her builder or owner.
Read more →These studio portraits are all from the early years of the 20th century – except the first, which is a tintype (I think) and seems to be earlier. They are unidentified, but came from the collection of Joan Maciver, Cliff. If you know who they might be, please comment.
Read more →These photos all came from the collection of Joan Maciver, 35 Cliff. If you recognise any faces, please let us know!
Read more →The house at 35 Cliff is currently being renovated – here are three pictures from the collection of the late Joan Maciver of the house at the time of previous improvements. In the middle photo the new kitchen is being added. [singlepic=939,396] [singlepic=938,329] [singlepic=940,392]
Read more →For next year, Uig Museum will be mounting a display of wedding and christening objects, and we’re very keen to collect any items, stories, photographs and archives connected with these events in Uig over the years. Naturally we don’t need to take ownership of them, unless you’d like to give them a safe home – [...]
Read more →[singlepic=908,424] Chrissie Matheson 39 Cliff and Jessie Macdonald 24 Valtos.
Read more →More photos from Cliff, from Joan’s collection. We’re often defeated by children but if you recognise any of these, let us know please. You may find it easier to view them on the Gallery page.
Read more →Another item from the endlessly entertaining Lewsiana, by W Anderson Smith (1874/1886). From the fact that every crofter owns a few sheep, wool is naturally the first and most important article in use [in clothing]. This is often torn from the animal, Shetland fashion, in place of being clipped. More wretched looking creatures than these [...]
Read more →This unidentified sailor with the Naval Division is believed to be one of those interned in Holland in 1914. The picture was taken at Groningen, and comes to us from 10 Mangersta. Is he one of the Uigeachs listed below who spent the war in “HMS Timbertown”? The following was written by Dave Roberts for [...]
Read more →The Highland News, 5 July 1913: On Wednesday, 2nd inst., the Rev Allan Mackenzie, parish minister of Uig, received a deputation from his congregation who presented him with a handsome new trap and carriage rug. Mr John Matheson Aird said that when the congregation understood how much the minister required a new trap, they entered [...]
Read more →[singlepic=165,550,245] There were 104 pupils at Valtos School in 1904. This key may help with the identification. 1 Mr Cameron 2 Flora Maciver Kneep (Floraidh nighean Mairead Alasdair) 3 Christina Mackay 21 Valtos (Cairstiona Rothaich) 4 Mary Matheson Kneep (Mairi Smiodaidh) 5 Betty Buchanan (Beit Dhomhnaill an t-Saighdear) 6 Barbara Maciver 25 Valtos (Bab Tharmoid [...]
Read more →From Rev William Matheson’s History of the Macaulays: The tradition among some of his descendants today is that Dòmhnall Càm was the least formidable of his father’s sons in point of physical strength. It is related, for example, that, when at archery practice near his home above one end of Traigh na Clibhe, he was [...]
Read more →Teachers Donald Maclean Shawbost and Annie Macaulay 35 Cliff Back: 1. Donald N Morrison 32 Valtos 2. Norrie Mackay 31 Valtos 3. Dol Angus Mackay 30 Valtos 4. Calum Iain Buchanan 8 Valtos 5. John Angus Mackay 7 Reef 6. Donald M Morrison 32 Valtos 7. John Angus Buchanan 7 Valtos Middle: 8. Donald Buchanan [...]
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